Banning Dad Jailed In Death Of Girl, Facing Child Cruelty Charges

BANNING, CA — A Banning father who brought his toddler's lifeless body to the local hospital for help this week has now been arrested on suspicion of cruelty to a child causing death and infliction of great bodily injury, police and jail records indicated Wednesday. Dany Vidaury, 35, is accused in the death of his 2-year-old daughter, whose name has not been disclosed by authorities.

Banning Police Lt. Vincent Avila said Vidaury showed up at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital around 6:45 a.m. Tuesday with the little girl, who was not breathing at the time and had an apparent wound to the head. Police later added that she had "sustained severe head and body trauma" and "bruising throughout her body."

Vidaury, who was "the sole caretaker and person in contact with the 2- year old" beginning Nov. 1, gave a statement that "did not coincide with evidence obtained by detectives," according to a police statement that says detectives investigating the case determined the youngster "was in good health and spirits" just days prior to her death.

Records show Viduary was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside in lieu of $290,000 bail. He remained locked up as of Wednesday evening.

"The father was essentially uncooperative with us," Banning police Sgt. Mike Bennett told NBC4. "Wouldn't give us information about the baby, wouldn't give us information about the mother of the child.

"We have evidence to show when the child left the mother, (she) was in a good state, had no injuries," Bennett said. "Here we are five, six days later and the child, obviously, got injuries that resulted in her death."

According to Channel 4, the girl's mother said Vidaury, who is her ex- boyfriend, was recently granted partial custody and it was the first time the child had been alone with him.

Anyone with information regarding the case was asked to call the Banning Police Department at (951) 922-3170.

— City News Service contributed to this report / Booking photo courtesy of Banning Police Department